Advocate vs. Inform — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
An advocate actively supports or argues for a cause or policy, whereas to inform is to provide information or knowledge without necessarily advocating for a specific viewpoint.
Difference Between Advocate and Inform
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Advocacy involves taking a stand on an issue and actively promoting or defending a particular cause, often trying to persuade others to join or support that cause. On the other hand, informing involves sharing facts, data, or knowledge, aiming to educate or enlighten without the persuasion element inherent in advocacy.
An advocate is usually committed to a cause, employing arguments and strategies to influence public opinion or policy. Whereas, someone who informs might remain neutral, focusing on delivering information clearly and accurately to help others make informed decisions.
Advocacy often requires a deep understanding and passionate commitment to a cause, possibly involving lobbying, public speaking, or campaigning. In contrast, informing could be as simple as teaching, reporting, or disseminating research, without a direct call to action.
The role of an advocate can be seen in legal settings, activism, or political campaigns, where a strong persuasive voice is critical. On the other hand, the role of informing is crucial in education, journalism, and research, where objectivity and accuracy are paramount.
While advocacy is about changing minds and influencing decisions towards a specific outcome, informing is about providing the tools and knowledge for others to make their own decisions, without guiding them towards a specific conclusion.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
To persuade and promote a cause
To educate and provide information
Strategy
Argumentation, persuasion
Dissemination of facts, neutral presentation
Outcome
Change in opinion, support for a cause
Increased knowledge, informed decisions
Typical Contexts
Law, activism, politics
Education, journalism, research
Communication
Often biased towards a cause
Typically neutral and objective
Compare with Definitions
Advocate
Defender.
She acts as an advocate for children’s rights in legal disputes.
Inform
Enlighten.
The documentary informs the public about the impacts of plastic pollution.
Advocate
Champion of a cause.
She advocates for climate change action in community forums.
Inform
Provide knowledge.
The seminar aims to inform participants about legal rights.
Advocate
Supporter.
As an advocate for the arts, he lobbies for increased public funding.
Inform
Notify.
The app informs users of real-time traffic updates.
Advocate
Promoter.
He advocates for healthier school lunches in national campaigns.
Inform
Educate.
The museum’s exhibits inform visitors about natural history.
Advocate
Spokesperson.
He is a well-known advocate for veterans’ issues.
Inform
Report.
Journalists inform the public about current events and news.
Advocate
An advocate is a professional in the field of law. Different countries' legal systems use the term with somewhat differing meanings.
Inform
Inform is a programming language and design system for interactive fiction originally created in 1993 by Graham Nelson. Inform can generate programs designed for the Z-code or Glulx virtual machines.
Advocate
To speak, plead, or argue in favor of
Advocate a vegan diet.
Inform
To impart information to; make aware of something
We were informed by mail of the change in plans. The nurse informed me that visiting hours were over.
Advocate
Usage Problem To act as an advocate
Advocated for her patients.
Advocated for more stringent crime laws.
Inform
To acquaint (oneself) with knowledge of a subject.
Advocate
One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender
An advocate of civil rights.
Inform
To give form or character to; imbue with a quality or an essence
"A society's strength is measured by ... its ability to inform a future generation with its moral standards" (Vanity Fair).
Advocate
One that pleads in another's behalf; an intercessor
Advocates for abused children and spouses.
Inform
To be a formative or characterizing presence in; animate
"It is this brash, backroom sensibility that informs his work as a novelist" (Jeff Shear).
Advocate
A lawyer.
Inform
(Obsolete) To form (the mind or character) by teaching or training.
Advocate
Someone whose job is to speak for someone's case in a court of law; a counsel.
Inform
To give or provide information.
Advocate
Anyone who argues the case of another; an intercessor.
Inform
To disclose confidential or incriminating information to an authority
The defendant informed against the other members of the ring.
Advocate
A person who speaks in support of something, or someone.
Inform
To instruct, train (usually in matters of knowledge).
Advocate
A person who supports others to make their voices heard, or ideally for them to speak up for themselves.
Since she started working with her advocate, she has become much more confident.
Inform
(transitive) To communicate knowledge to.
Advocate
(transitive) To plead in favour of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
Inform
(intransitive) To impart information or knowledge.
Advocate
(transitive) To encourage support for something.
I like trees, but I do not advocate living in them.
Inform
To act as an informer; denounce.
Advocate
To engage in advocacy.
We have been advocating for changes in immigration law.
Inform
(transitive) To give form or character to; to inspire (with a given quality); to affect, influence (with a pervading principle, idea etc.).
His sense of religion informs everything he writes.
Advocate
To appeal from an inferior court to the Court of Session.
Inform
To make known, wisely and/or knowledgeably.
Advocate
To call a case before itself for decision.
Inform
To direct, guide.
Advocate
One who pleads the cause of another. Specifically: One who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; a counselor.
Inform
To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
Advocate
One who defends, vindicates, or espouses any cause by argument; a pleader; as, an advocate of free trade, an advocate of truth.
Inform
Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
Advocate
Christ, considered as an intercessor.
We have an Advocate with the Father.
Inform
Without regular form; shapeless; ugly; deformed.
Advocate
To plead in favor of; to defend by argument, before a tribunal or the public; to support, vindicate, or recommend publicly.
To advocate the cause of thy client.
This is the only thing distinct and sensible, that has been advocated.
Eminent orators were engaged to advocate his cause.
Inform
To give form or share to; to give vital or organizing power to; to give life to; to imbue and actuate with vitality; to animate; to mold; to figure; to fashion.
Let others better mold the running massOf metals, and inform the breathing brass.
Breath informs this fleeting frame.
Breathes in our soul, informs our mortal part.
Advocate
To act as advocate.
Inform
To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; to acquaint; to advise; to instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; - usually followed by of.
For he would learn their business secretly,And then inform his master hastily.
I am informed thoroughly of the cause.
Advocate
A person who pleads for a cause or propounds an idea
Inform
To communicate a knowledge of facts to, by way of accusation; to warn against anybody.
Tertullus . . . informed the governor against Paul.
Advocate
A lawyer who pleads cases in court
Inform
To take form; to become visible or manifest; to appear.
It is the bloody business which informsThus to mine eyes.
Advocate
Push for something;
The travel agent recommended strongly that we not travel on Thanksgiving Day
Inform
To give intelligence or information; to tell.
He might either teach in the same manner, or inform how he had been taught.
Advocate
Speak, plead, or argue in favour of;
The doctor advocated a smoking ban in the entire house
Inform
Impart knowledge of some fact, state or affairs, or event to;
I informed him of his rights
Inform
Give character or essence to;
The principles that inform modern teaching
Inform
Act as an informer;
She had informed on her own parents for years
Common Curiosities
Why is neutrality important in informing?
It ensures that the information is trustworthy and allows recipients to form their own opinions.
What skills are important for an advocate?
Persuasive communication, deep understanding of the issue, and strategic thinking.
What are the ethical considerations for advocates?
To be honest and fair, avoiding misleading or manipulative tactics.
How does informing differ from advocating?
Informing provides data or information neutrally, without persuasion.
Can someone advocate and inform at the same time?
Yes, but true informing should remain unbiased, whereas advocacy involves bias towards a cause.
What is the main goal of an advocate?
To actively support and promote a cause or viewpoint.
How does one choose between advocating and informing?
It depends on the purpose: influencing opinion and action (advocate) versus expanding knowledge (inform).
How can one effectively inform an audience?
By presenting information clearly, accurately, and in an easily digestible format.
What impact does advocacy have on society?
It can drive social change, influence policies, and shape public opinion.
How should information be presented to ensure it is informative and not persuasive?
By avoiding biased language, presenting all sides of an issue, and focusing on facts.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
